In April 2022, a Chinese researcher published a paper declaring that the Starlink Satellite constellation threatens Chinese national security.The report encourages the Chinese PLA to develop strategies to observe, disable, and destroy not just individual Starlink satellites but the entire system.But why is Starlink a threat to China, and would the Chinese government actually attack Starlink?

Concerns From the Chinese Military Establishment

Soldiers boarding a jet

In an article in China's Modern Defence Technology journal, Ren Yuanzhen from the PLA's Beijing Institute of Tracking and Telecommunications asserted that Starlink brings hidden dangers to the Asian country.

According to the Google-translated report:

Starlink as the most representative of all the current satellite Internet constellations, its plan to form the largest network, the largest number of satellites launched, and the UNITED States military to carry out close cooperation, while space exploration technology (SpaceX) company independently has the ownership and control of the entire industrial chain, to China has brought potential hidden dangers and great challenges. Therefore, it is necessary to focus on the Starlink plan, sort out its development status and characteristics, discuss its military application capabilities, and give corresponding disposal suggestions.

Although the researchers recognize Starlink's contribution to developing internet and communication technologies, they also shared how it can be used for other purposes. According to the report, when SpaceX filed for a patent in August 2017, its included satellite communication and transmission, satellite imaging, remote sensing, and other services.

This broad application means that, alongside civilian applications, Starlink also has massive military potential. This allegation is further supported by the US Military's cooperation with SpaceX in developing and launching its satellites.

According to an English article published in May 2022 on the China Military website:

As a matter of fact, Starlink has cooperated with American military many times. In 2019, SpaceX received funds from the US Air Force to test how well Starlink satellites can connect with military aircraft under encryption; in May 2020, the US Army signed an agreement with SpaceX on the use of Starlink's broadband to transmit data across military networks; in October 2020, SpaceX won a USD 150-million contract to develop military-use satellites; in March 2021, it announced its plan to work with the US Air Force to further test the Starlink Internet."

At the time of writing, there is no official word or comment from the Chinese military's top brass yet, so there's no certainty whether they see Starlink as a real threat.

Schematic diagram of the comprehensive application capabilities of the Starlink
Image Credit: Modern Defence Technology

According to the report, one of the biggest augmentations Starlink provides to the US's combat capacity is its ability to provide low-cost and high-speed internet globally. As combat systems become digital, so is the need to transmit more information reliably.

In fact, as reported by Teslarati, the US Air Force successfully tested Starlink with the F-35 Lightning II for Agile Combat Employment. The results saw Starlink providing internet connection much quicker than current military satellites.

Furthermore, Starlink has over 2,000 satellites in low-earth orbit, with plans of putting up to 40,000. Once Starlink deployment is complete, SpaceX will have 24-hour coverage of the globe.

The researchers fear Starlink satellites can carry capabilities like photo-reconnaissance, infrared imaging, radar, and other payloads. This means they might have difficulty determining which satellite is used purely for commercial purposes and which ones have military capabilities.

Another issue raised is that the US could use the Starlink platform for detecting and tracking missiles and hypersonic vehicles. Although there's no confirmation that the Starlink platform is indeed used as such, Reuters reported in 2020 that SpaceX would build missile-tracking satellites for the Pentagon.

All these reports are just Starlink's potential for military use. However, this was proven when Elon sent Starlink internet kits to Ukraine. According to the presentation deck he gave to SpaceX employees in June 2022, they've already sent 15,000 Starlink kits to help keep Ukrainians connected.

And it's not just civilians taking advantage of it, as Business Insider reported that Starlink changed the war in Ukraine's favor.

Surface-to-Air Missiles Displayed Near a Wall

Because of Starlink's capabilities, researchers recommended several things. Some of these include China expanding its monitoring capabilities, including increasing its resolution and the capacity to read more satellites.

But their biggest recommendation is that the PLA must have the "ability of low-orbit group target system confrontation."

Due to the extremely large number of Starlink satellites and their short lifespan, they are very prone to fall or lose control in orbit, and it also has a strong ability to change orbits, so we need to have a certain ability to deal with it. In addition, the star chain constellation constitutes a decentralized space system, and the confrontation with it is not "individual confrontation" but "system confrontation", which must be disposed of by low-cost and high-efficiency means.

Sun Tzu's The Art of War says, "If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles." Starlink, which allows seamless global satellite communications and can possibly host other sensors, does give the US efficient communication. And, if they use it to host other technologies, it will allow them to observe China constantly.

Nevertheless, this is just a research paper. Although China and the US frequently clash on the world stage, there is no reason for them to act against Starlink for now. So, if you're a Starlink user, this report is just that—a report. It's not an official strategy or action by the PLA. Besides, the US has its own anti-satellite capabilities, too.